54.1-3314.1 - Continuing education requirements; exemptions; extensions; procedures; out-of-state licensees; nonpractice licenses. - Virginia Statutes

§ 54.1-3314.1. Continuing education requirements; exemptions; extensions;procedures; out-of-state licensees; nonpractice licenses.

A. Each pharmacist shall have obtained a minimum of 15 continuing educationhours of pharmaceutical education through an approved continuingpharmaceutical education program during the year immediately preceding hislicense renewal date.

B. An approved continuing pharmaceutical education program shall be anyprogram approved by the Board.

C. Pharmacists who have been initially licensed by the Board during the oneyear preceding the license renewal date shall not be required to comply withthe requirement on the first license renewal date that would immediatelyfollow.

D. The Board may grant an exemption from the continuing education requirementif the pharmacist presents evidence that failure to comply was due tocircumstances beyond the control of the pharmacist.

E. Upon the written request of a pharmacist, the Board may grant an extensionof one year in order for a pharmacist to fulfill the continuing educationrequirements for the period of time in question. Such extension shall notrelieve the pharmacist of complying with the continuing education requirementfor the current period.

F. The pharmacist shall attest to the fact that he has completed thecontinuing education requirements as specified by the Board.

G. The following shall apply to the requirements for continuingpharmaceutical education:

1. The provider of an approved continuing education program shall issue toeach pharmacist who has successfully completed a program certification thatthe pharmacist has completed a specified number of hours.

2. The certificates so issued to the pharmacist shall be maintained by thepharmacist for a period of two years following the renewal of his license.

3. The pharmacist shall provide the Board, upon request, with certificationof completion of continuing education programs in a manner to be determinedby the Board.

H. Pharmacists who are also licensed in other states and who have obtained aminimum of fifteen hours of approved continuing education requirements ofsuch other states need not obtain additional hours.

I. The Board shall provide for an inactive status for those pharmacists whodo not wish to practice in Virginia. The Board shall require upon request forchange from inactive to active status proof of continuing education hours asspecified in regulations. No person shall practice in Virginia unless heholds a current active license.

J. As part of the annual 15-hour requirement, the Board may require up to twohours of continuing education in a specific subject area. If the Boarddesignates a subject area for continuing education, it shall publish suchrequirement no later than January 1 of the calendar year for which thespecific continuing education is required.

(1992, c. 868; 2008, c. 672.)